Although hurricanes are most threatening to residents along Georgia’s coast, such fierce storms have been known to build enough momentum to carry their destructive winds inland for hundreds of miles. Heavy rains, flooding and isolated tornadoes add to the damage hurricanes can inflict on homes and communities throughout Georgia.

The Atlanta Red Cross wants residents of Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia to prepare by taking a few easy steps to make themselves and their homes ready for hurricane season.

Take a few moments to discuss and take these simple preparedness actions with your family and friends:

Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan:

Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places–a friend’s home in another town, a motel or a shelter. Get a good map and be familiar with your community’s evacuation routes. Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

In case you have to evacuate to a Red Cross shelter be sure to bring medications, extra clothing, pillows and blankets and other hygiene and comfort supplies for all members of your family. Be sure to also make advance preparations for your pets, which aren’t allowed in Red Cross shelters.

Assemble a Family Disaster Supplies Kit:

Have emergency supplies set aside for all members of your household, including emergency medications, non-perishable food, a non-electric can opener, bottled water (at least three gallons per person), a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, extra clothes, important documents, cash and credit cards, a first aid kit and other special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members and pets.

Prepare for High Winds:

Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and unreinforced masonry. Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.

For more information on hurricane preparedness, please visit the tips section of the www.atlantaredcross.org or contact the Atlanta Red Cross at (404)876-3302.

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of nearly 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest U.S. supplier of blood and blood products. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.